There's been regional qualifiers, then there are Northern and Southern Last 16s, playing down to two finalists from each who play the Northern and Southern finals on the Saturday of finals weekend (7th June), and the winners then play for the English Championship on the Sunday of finals weekend (8th June). One thing I like about this is that as well as the regulars on the Premier Tour, it also draws good amateurs from around the country who don't have the time or inclination to participate in the Premier Tour.

Ant Parsons had a 133 break in his regional qualifying.

One or two surprises as always. Troy Brett beat Steven Hallworth in Round 3 of the East Midlands qualifying, whilst Luke Garland was unlucky enough to be drawn against (and lose to) Mitchell Mann in the West Midlands qualifiers, and despite 3 century breaks in his two matches, Zak Surety went down to Damian Wilks in the 2nd round of the South East qualifiers. Also in that round, Sam Harvey lost 4 - 3 to Matt Glasby, and in the third round Michael Georgiou beat Shane Castle 4 - 1.

The Northern Last 16 results (played at Northern Snooker, Leeds on 26/27 April)

Antony Parsons won against local favorite and new tour professional Oliver Lines 8-6. Oliver went into the first session interval leading 3-1 making breaks of 76 and 89 but Antony replied with breaks of 41 and 45 to make it 3-3, Antony won the next frame to lead 4-3 at the end of the session. In the second session Antony took the next three frames winning six frames on the bounce and leading 7-3. Oliver made a break of 120 but it wasn’t enough and Antony won 8-6.

Southern SectionBen Harrison 8-6 Michael Georgiou

In the Southern Final it was a similar story with Ben Harrison defeating Michael Georgiou who has also just qualified for the main tour, Ben also went in to the first session interval 3-1 down and also ended the first session 4-3 in front. With a top break of 66. Michael replied in the second session but it wasn’t enough with Ben coming out winning 8-6 and booking a place in the final.

The Overall FinalBen Harrison 10-6 Antony Parsons

Ben Harrison made up for last year’s heartache by winning the title defeating Antony Parsons 10-6. Despite going 1-0 down due to being late, Antony won the first two frames to lead 2-1 but was 5-4 down after the first session despite making breaks of 60 and 72. In the second session Ben went from strength to strength to claim the title with a break of 75 the highlight in winning the Oldest trophy in snooker.